The Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology hosted Eastern Cape Theology Stakeholders' Consultations on 18 and 19 June 2026 at the Phyllis Ntantala Collaborative Library (PNCL) in East London.

The two-day engagement brought together church leaders, theologians, chaplains and leaders of faith-based organisations to reflect on the role and future of theology in public universities, and explore opportunities for stronger collaboration between the University of South Africa (Unisa) and faith communities.

The consultations commenced with a Theologians Roundtable Discussion focusing on "The State of Theology in Public Universities and Lessons to Learn". The discussions created a platform for academics and faith leaders to engage on the relevance of theology in contemporary society, the challenges facing theological education and ways to strengthen its contribution to communities.

On 19 June, the event provided an opportunity for religious leaders and community partners to share insights, identify areas for collaboration and develop a collective vision for strengthening theology in the Eastern Cape. The consultations were attended by more than 40 participants on each day, demonstrating the commitment and interest of faith communities in engaging with Unisa.

A key outcome of the engagements was the identification of 20 way-forward points to revitalise theology and strengthen partnerships between Unisa and religious communities. These included the need for theology to remain contextually relevant, respond to societal challenges, and bring hope to communities. Participants emphasised the importance of expanding access to theological learning through initiatives such as recognition of prior learning (RPL), new qualifications and short learning programmes that respond to emerging needs.

The consultations highlighted the value of engaged scholarship partnerships. Religious leaders expressed interest in collaborating with Unisa on community engagement initiatives and projects. Participants further called for continued dialogue through annual roundtable discussions, symposia and workshops, as well as stronger relationships with churches and other faith traditions.

The discussions recognised the importance of ensuring that African thought and experiences are more strongly represented within theological education, curriculum development, teaching and learning. Participants advocated for a theology rooted in African communities and engaging with local realities.

The Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology expressed appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the consultations. The engagements marked an important step towards building sustainable partnerships, strengthening theological scholarship and positioning theology as a meaningful contributor to society.

The next steps will include compiling a detailed report on the proceedings, developing an implementation plan and continuing engagements to advance the identified areas of collaboration.

* Submitted by Nontsikelelo Gasa, Communication and Marketing Unit, Unisa Eastern Cape